Drawer-locking System

Abstract

There is disclosed herein a drawer-locking system for use in a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein, with at least one drawer being mounted in the body on the support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a keeper thereon. Lock mechanism is carried by the drawer and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A cable extends through the body adjacent to the drawer and has one end movably mounted with respect to the body. A latch is mounted on the cable adjacent to the drawer and is movable with the cable between a locking position wherein the latch is in position to engage the keeper and a release position wherein the latch is out of position to engage the keeper, the lock mechanism being operable to move the latch between the locking and release positions thereof, whereby movement of the lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves the latch between the locking position and the release position thereof.

Description

This invention relates to an improved drawer-locking system for use in a modular drawer pedestal and the like.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved drawer-locking system for use in a modular drawer pedestal or cabinetlike body, which system may be easily installed either at the factory or by the distributor or even by the user of the modular unit if so desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drawer-locking system for use with a cabinetlike body, with at least one drawer carrying lock mechanism thereon being mounted in the body for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a keeper thereon, the lock system including cable means and at least one latch, both of which may be easily installed within the body, the lock mechanism on the drawer being movable between locked and unlocked positions of cooperation relative to the latch to effect movement of the cable and the latch between locking and release positions wherein the latch in the locking position engages the keeper so as to prevent outward movement of the drawer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved drawer-locking system of the type set forth wherein a single locking mechanism mounted upon one drawer simultaneously controls the locking of a plurality of drawers within the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drawer-locking system of the type set forth wherein the cabinetlike body is provided with a plurality of drawers, each having a keeper thereon, and a plurality of latches mounted on the cable respectively adjacent to the drawers, the locking mechanism being carried by only a single drawer which may be the upper drawer in the body or positioned below the upper drawer, and wherein the drawers positioned below such one drawer may be locked or unlocked as determined by the placement of the latches on the cable and the position of the drawer in the body.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a drawer-locking system of the type set forth wherein the drawer carrying the lock mechanism is positioned below the upper drawer in the body and guard means is provided to overlie the latch adjacent to the drawer carrying the lock mechanism so as to prevent manipulation of the cable from above.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a lock drawer for use in a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein for mounting the drawer for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a cable extending through the body adjacent to the drawer and movably mounted with respect to the body and having a latch mounted on the cable adjacent to the drawer and movable between locking and release positions relative to the drawer, the lock drawer comprising a bottom wall, a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls connected to opposite edges of the bottom wall, a front drawer head extending between the sidewalls, a keeper mounted on one of the sidewalls on the side thereof adapted to be positioned adjacent to the associated latch, and lock mechanism carried by the drawer and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the lock mechanism being positioned for cooperable engagement with the associated latch mounted in the associated body, whereby movement of the lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves the associated latch between the locking position thereof wherein the latch is in position to engage the keeper and prevent outward movement of the drawer and the release position thereof wherein the latch is out of position to engage the keeper.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement and construction of the parts of the drawer-locking system whereby the above-outlined and additional features are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a modular credenza unit incorporating therein a drawer-locking system embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the modular credenza unit of FIG. 1 with the drawers removed therefrom and with certain portions broken away better to illustrate certain parts of the drawer-locking system thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in horizontal section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged view in vertical section along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 with certain of the parts broken away and other parts shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section with certain portions broken away along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the box drawers contained within the modular credenza unit illustrated in FIG. 1, incorporating therein the lock mechanism of the present invention, with certain parts of the lock mechanism being illustrated in phantom lines;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the file drawer contained within the modular credenza unit illustrated in FIG. 1, the file drawer incorporating therein the lock mechanism of the present invention, with certain parts of the lock mechanism being illustrated in phantom lines;

FIG. 9 is a further enlarged front view of the box drawer illustrated in FIG. 7, with certain parts of the lock mechanism forming a part of the drawer-locking system of the present invention being illustrated in phantom lines and in the unlocked position;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the parts in the locked position;

FIG. 10A is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken along the line 10A-10A of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10 illustrating the arrangement of certain parts of the lock mechanism in greater detail;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the forward portion of the box drawer illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of the box drawer taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 5, illustrating the lock mechanism carried by the box drawer with the parts being shown in the unlocked position;

FIG. 14A is a further enlarged view of certain parts of the lock mechanism taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 14A-14A of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the latch forming a part of the present invention together with the lower end of the cable and spring associated therewith, a portion of the latch channel in which the latch moves being illustrated in phantom lines;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the parts forming the latch of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view in horizontal section through the latch of FIG. 15 along the lines 17-17 thereof;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of a latch and latch channel when provided with an overlying latch guard which prevents manipulation of the latch when the lock mechanism is provided on a lower drawer of the pedestal such as shown in the right-hand pedestal of the modular credenza unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a view in vertical section through the latch, the latch guard and the latch channel taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the cover plate and the grip plate illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary front view of a modular pedestal similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the locking system of the present invention is illustrated in a third type of drawer; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view of the tray drawer shown in FIG. 21 provided with the lock mechanism forming part of the present invention, with certain parts of the lock mechanism being illustrated in phantom lines.

There is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings a modular credenza 100 in which is incorporated the improved drawer-locking system of the present invention. The modular credenza 100 includes a top 101 at the left-hand end of which is disposed a first modular pedestal 200 and at the right-hand end of which is disposed a second modular pedestal 300, the pedestals 200 and 300 being connected to the top 101 in a manner hereafter described. A modular bookcase 110 is disposed between the pedestals 200 and 300, the bookcase 110 also being connected to the top 101, the bookcase 110 being provided with sliding doors 111 and handles 112. Four legs 195 are disposed at the four corners of the modular credenza to support it above an underlying support surface.

The pedestal 200 has three vertically arranged box drawers 250, 290 and 295 therein each provided with a pull 251, 291 and 296 respectively, and the pedestal 300 has a file drawer 350 in the lower portion thereof provided with a pull 351 and a box drawer 390 in the upper portion thereof provided with a pull 391. The box drawer 250 and the file drawer 350 are each provided with the lock mechanism forming part of the present invention as hereinafter described.

The details of construction of the top 101 for the modular credenza 100 are set forth in Studinski U.S. Pat. No. 3,360,318, assigned to the same assignee as the present application. While the aforesaid patent describes a top used for desks, the basic construction of the modular credenza top and the desk top is the same, such tops differing only in size.

Mounted beneath the top 101 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart mounting channels 120 (one only being shown), each mounting channel 120 including a longitudinally extending main wall 121 and a pair of depending side flanges 122 carrying on the lower ends thereof respectively inturned holding flanges 123 (see FIG. 3). All of the other parts of the modular credenza 100 are mounted upon the top 101 by means of the mounting channels 120.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6 and 14, the details of construction of the pedestal 200 will be described. The pedestal 200 includes a cabinetlike body 201 including a substantially rectangular rear wall (not shown) and a pair of substantially rectangular sidewalls 203 extending forwardly therefrom and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto and parallel to each other. Disposed in the forward portion of the pedestal 200 is a front frame 210 formed from two substantially C-shaped channels 211 which in turn are substantially U-shaped in cross section (see FIG. 3), each including a main wall 212 and a pair of integral side flanges 213 extending normal thereto and parallel to each other. The free ends of the C-shaped channels 211 are disposed toward each other and a splice channel (not shown) is placed in bridging relationship therebetween and secured thereto as by welding. Four L-shaped gusset plates 216 are disposed respectively at the four corners of the frame 210 and on the inner edge of the rearmost side flange 213 and secured thereto as by welding.

The front frame 210 is in turn secured to the pedestal sidewalls 203 by welding, a layer of mastic (not shown) being disposed therebetween to provide sound deadening. A bottom wall 217 is also provided in the pedestal 200, the bottom wall 217 being supported by flanges (not shown) on the sidewalls 203, the forward end of the bottom wall 217 carrying an upturned front flange 218 having on the upper edge thereof a rearwardly directed end flange 219 that is disposed in close proximity to the forward surface of the front frame 210. Also mounted on the sidewalls 203 of the pedestal 200 and spaced from but disposed toward the front frame 210 is a pair of drawer supports 220 (see FIG. 2), the drawer supports 220 being connected to the sidewalls 203 as by welding.

In order to mount the pedestal 200 beneath the top 101, provision is made for connecting to the mounting channels 120 on the underside of the top 101, the pedestal 200 being connected at the front end thereof through the front frame 210 to the forward one of the mounting channels 120 and being in a similar manner connected at the rear end thereof to the rear mounting channel 120.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the front frame 210 is provided with openings 215 therethrough which receive special mounting assemblies 140 therein, each of the mounting assemblies 140 including a threaded shank 141 which extends through the opening 215 and has a special nut 142 thereon disposed in the associated mounting channel 120. The mounting assembly 140 further includes a special washer 143 disposed below the flanges 123 of the mounting channel 120 and a spacer 144 positioned between the special washer 143 and the front frame 210. A nut 145 is mounted on the lower end of the threaded shaft below the main wall 212 of the front frame so as to hold the mounting assembly in position. The details of the mounting assembly 140 and the mode of operation thereof are disclosed in the copending application of Studinski et al., entitled MOUNTING ASSEMBLY, Ser. No. 697,490, filed Jan. 22, 1968.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, certain details of the box drawer 250 provided with the lock mechanism forming part of the present invention will be described. The box drawer 250 includes a bottom wall 252 that is substantially rectangular in shape (see FIG. 7) and has a width slightly less than the interior width of the pedestal 200 and has a length slightly less than the length of the pedestal 200. Disposed on the longitudinally extending side edges of the bottom wall 252 are upstanding inner sidewalls 253, the sidewalls 253 being disposed substantially parallel to each other and normal to the bottom wall 252 and extending substantially the entire length thereof. Interconnecting the rear ends of the bottom wall 252 and the inner sidewalls 253 is a rear wall 254, all the walls named being mutually interconnected. Each of the inner sidewalls 253 in addition includes and carries thereon an outer sidewall generally designated by the numeral 255, each of the outer sidewalls 255 including a bottom flange 256, a lower support flange 257, a retaining flange 258, an upper support flange 259 and a connecting wall 261 disposed between the support flanges 257 and 259. It will be understood that a single piece of sheet metal is shaped to provide the various parts named, the bottom flange lying beneath the bottom wall 252 and being secured thereto as by welding, and the connecting wall 261 lying against the surface of the associated sidewall 253 and being secured thereto as by welding. The two support flanges 257 and 259 are disposed parallel to each other and normal to the drawer sidewalls and extend laterally outwardly with respect thereto; and the retaining flange 258 extends upwardly substantially normal to the support flanges 257 and 259 and is spaced outwardly a predetermined distance with respect to the connecting wall 261, the support flanges 257 and 259 and the retaining flange 258 extending substantially the entire length of the drawer 250.

Extending upwardly from the upper support flange 259 is a connecting section 262 on the upper end of which is an integral outstanding reinforcement section 263 and above which is a connecting section 264 carrying an upper outstanding reinforcement section 265 that carries on the inner portion thereof a downturned flange 266 disposed adjacent to an outwardly offset flange 267 on the upper edge of the associated inner sidewall 253. It is noted that both sides of the box drawer 250 carry an outer sidewall 255 described above, and, in the interest of brevity, the other sidewall 255 will not be described, but like reference numerals are applied to like parts thereof.

Finally, the forward end of the drawer 250 is closed by a drawer head 270 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 also) closing the area bounded by the bottom wall 252 and the forward ends of the sidewalls 253, and including inner and outer front walls 271 and 272 respectively, the outer front wall 272 extending beyond the outer sidewalls 255 and being provided with side flanges 273, return flanges 274 and connecting flanges 275. The inner front wall 271 is held in place as part of the front drawer head in a manner later described.

Also as shown in FIG. 7, each inner sidewall 253 is provided with two rows of vertically aligned openings 277 which are adapted to receive a pair of mounting members 278 for holding a laterally extending drawer divider 279 in adjusted position relative to the drawer head 270.

In order to cooperate with the locking system 400 to be described more fully hereinafter, there is provided on one side of the drawer 250 adjacent to the forward end thereof a keeper 280 extending laterally outwardly therefrom (see FIGS. 6, 7, 12 and 14). The drawer 250 is further provided with a pair of stop members 285 disposed adjacent to the rear of the drawer 250 and respectively positioned on each sidewall thereof. Each stop member 285 cooperates with appropriate drawer support structure in the pedestal 200 in a manner hereinafter described to limit the extent of outward movement of the drawer to a predetermined distance.

Each of the stop members 285 is comprised of a plastic grommet 286 which is installed through appropriate cutouts (not shown) in the drawer inner sidewall 253 and the connecting section 261 on the outer sidewall 255. The plastic grommet 286 is held in position in the cutouts by a sheet metal screw 287, the head of which is disposed on the inside of the drawer 250 and the shank of which passes through the plastic grommet so as to tightly force the grommet into engagement with the cutout provided therefor, whereby the outer end of the plastic grommet 286 extends beyond the connecting flange 261 of the outer sidewall 255 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), while the shank of the screw 287 provides structural rigidity therefor.

The box drawer 250 further is provided with lock mechanism designated generally as 450 and forming part of the locking system 400 of the present invention, all as described in greater detail hereinafter. The box drawers 290 and 295 have the same construction as the drawer 250 with the exception that these drawers are not provided with the lock mechanism 450 which is carried by the box drawer 250.

Each of the box drawers 250, 290 and 295 is supported within the pedestal 200 for movement between a storage position and an extended position relative thereto. The support structure for each of these drawers is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, wherein it will be seen that each drawer is supported upon a pair of horizontally aligned slides 230 which are disposed upon the opposite sides of the pedestal 200. More specifically, each slide 230 extends between the vertical portion of the channel 211 and the drawer support 220.

As best seen in FIG. 6, each slide 230 includes a main body wall 231 which is adapted to be secured at the appropriate locations to the vertical portion of the channel 211 and to the drawer support 220. The slide 230 is formed to provide a generally U-shaped channel including inwardly extending connecting flanges 232, vertically extending outer guide flanges 233, inwardly extending upper and lower support flanges 234 and vertically extending inner guide flanges 235. The support flanges 234 are adapted to be positioned between the support flanges 257 and 259 formed on the outer sidewall 255 of the drawer, while the guide flanges 233 and 235 are positioned between the retaining flange 258 and the connecting wall 261. The slide 230 on the right-hand side of the pedestal is virtually identical to that on the left-hand side with the exception that such slide is not provided with the inner guide flanges 235.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the forward end of the slide 230 is provided with a reinforcing plate 236 which is spot welded to the horizontally disposed support flanges 234. The reinforcing plate 236 provides structural rigidity for the slide 230 at the area thereof which receives the greatest stress. A rubber bumper 237 is mounted on the slide 230 adjacent to the inner end of the reinforcing plate 236.

The rear end of the reinforcing plate 236 operates to engage the outwardly extending stop member 285 carried by the drawer 250 when the drawer 250 is moved outwardly a predetermined distance, thereby to prevent complete removal of the drawer. When it is desired to remove the drawer 250 from within the pedestal, the sheet metal screw which holds the plastic grommet 286 in position is removed while the drawer is in an extended position. Upon removal of both of the sheet metal screws and the plastic grommets 286 from both sides of the drawer, the drawer may be moved completely outwardly of the pedestal 200.

Each slide 230 is made of steel and is provided with a coating of nylon of a predetermined thickness, thereby eliminating metal to metal contact between the slide 230 and the drawer 250 and offering a free sliding silent operation and a high wear-resistant surface which is impervious to lubricants and cleaners. The nylon is applied as a powdered plastic which is fusion bonded to the steel substrate by a fluidized bed coating process. The nylon-covered slides are formed so as to provide a very close fit inside the guide ways determined by the support flanges 257, 258 and 259 on the drawer sidewalls. Side to side movement of the drawer 250 within the slide is prevented by the inner guide flanges 235 and 233 provided on one of the slides.

The pedestal 300 at the right-hand end of the modular credenza 100 has substantially the same construction as the pedestal 200 described above, with the exception of the drawer support structure for the file drawer 350. Insofar as the parts of the pedestal 300 are identical to those of the pedestal 200, like reference numerals in the 300--340 series have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. The box drawer 390 disposed within the pedestal 300 also has the same construction as the box drawers 250, 290 and 295.

The file drawer 350 is somewhat different in construction from the box drawer 250, and more particularly, with reference to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the file drawer 350 is not provided with the outer sidewall forming the elongated guide channel, the drawer instead being provided with front and rear clips 360 (the front clip only being shown) whereby the drawer is removably positioned upon an appropriate ball bearing suspension structure 370 which supports the drawer 350 within the pedestal for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto. The details of construction of the file drawer 350 and the ball bearing suspension structure 370 therefor are disclosed in Studinski U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,949, for FILING CABINET AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM THEREFOR.

As seen in FIG. 2, a center mounting bracket 375 is welded to the suspension structure 370 and is bolted to the rear drawer support 320. The forward end of the suspension structure 370 is bolted to the front channel 311. The outward extent of movement of the file drawer 350 is controlled by the suspension structure 370. The file drawer 350 also is provided with lock mechanism 550 for locking the drawer in position relative to the pedestal 300, all as described hereinafter.

A locking system 400 is provided for locking the drawers 250, 290 and 295 within the pedestal 200 in the storage positions thereof, a similar system 500 being provided for locking the file drawer 350 within the pedestal 300 in the storage position thereof. As previously noted, a primary object of the invention is to provide a locking system which may be conveniently installed within a modular pedestal either at the factory or by the user of the modular pedestal. To accomplish this, the modular pedestal 200 is provided with a latch channel 410 mounted on the sidewall 203 of the pedestal, and specifically on the inner surface thereof immediately to the rear of the front frame 210. A flexible steel cable 420 is disposed within the latch channel 410, and three latches 430 are mounted on the cable, one of which cooperates with the lock mechanism 450 carried by the drawer 250 to effect locking of all of the drawers 250, 290 and 295 in the storage position thereof in the manner hereinafter explained.

In order to permit installation of the drawer-locking system of the present invention at the option of the user, the latch channel 410 is installed in the modular pedestal 200 at the factory, when the modular pedestal is being constructed, regardless of whether it is to be shipped with a drawer-locking system.

Further details of the construction and arrangement of the latch channel 410 will be given by reference to FIGS. 2--6, 14 and 15 of the drawings. The latch channel 410 includes a main wall 411 that is suitably secured as by welding to the inner side of the pedestal sidewall 203 immediately to the rear of the front frame 210. Extending forwardly from the vertically extending edges of the main wall 411 is a pair of sidewalls 412 from which extend laterally outwardly a pair of first retaining flange 413 from the outer edges of which extend inwardly directed support flanges 414, on the inner edges of which are a pair of inturned second retaining flanges 415. Adjacent to the upper end of the latch channel 410 (see FIGS. 2, 5 and 6), the second retaining flanges 415 are provided with cutouts 416 therein for insertion of the latches 430 as will be described more fully hereinafter. An angled cover plate 417 is welded to the upper end of the latch channel 410 and is provided with an opening (not shown) through which passes one end of the cable 420.

The cable 420 is a flexible steel cable which is provided with latches 430 to make a locking connection between the drawers 250, 290 and 295 and the pedestal 200. The upper end of the cable 420 passes through a cable guide 421 which is mounted to the cover plate 417 by a plastic grommet 422 integral therewith, the cable 420 passing through the guide 421 and grommet 422 and having a cable sleeve 423 crimped thereto above the grommet 422 to prevent the upper end thereof from passing downwardly through the grommet 422 and guide 421. The cable 420 extends downwardly in the vertical direction through the latch channel 410, the lower end of the cable 420 being provided with a terminal 424 (FIG. 15). The terminal 424 is secured to the pedestal bottom wall 217 by means of a resilient spring 425, the other end of the spring being connected to the pedestal bottom wall 217 by means of a loop 426 formed in the pedestal bottom wall. The spring 425 operates to maintain the cable taut while allowing vertical movement of the cable relative to the latch channel 410.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that disposed within the latch channel 410 are three latches 430, a latch 430 being provided for each of the box drawers 250, 290 and 295 within the pedestal 200. All of the latches 430 are of identical construction, whereby only one will be described in detail with special reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 of the drawings.

Each of the latch members 430 includes a guide block 431 having an essentially rectangular body with dimensions in a horizontal direction to fit between the retaining flanges 413 and 415 on the latch channel 410 and between the support flanges 414 thereof for ready sliding movement along the channel provided by the latch channel 410.

The vertical sides of the guide block 431 are rounded as at 434 to provide a single line contact down the length thereof on either side for smooth guiding contact. Formed in the side of the block 431 disposed inwardly into the pedestal 200 and toward the adjacent side of the associated drawer is a dovetail recess 432 extending longitudinally throughout the entire height of the guide block 431 and disposed substantially centrally thereof and in alignment with the opening between the inner edges of the front retaining flanges 415. Also provided centrally of the guide block 431 and extending vertically therealong is a cable-receiving groove 433, the depth of the groove 433 being slightly less than the diameter of the associated cable 420 but the cross section of the groove 433 being such as to receive the cable 420 therein. The rear side of the guide block 431 carries a strengthening rib 439 thereon extending outwardly between but spaced from the sidewalls 412.

Cooperating with the guide block 431 is a latch block 435 that is also generally rectangular in shape and has a vertical extent substantially equal to that of the guide block 431 but has a width centrally thereof such as to fit between the opposed inner edges of the front retaining flanges 415. Formed on the side of the latch block 435 disposed toward the guide block 431 is a vertically extending dovetail tenon that is shaped complementary to the dovetail recess 432 in the guide block 431, the tenon 436 being disposed in the recess 432 when the parts are assembled as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 17.

Two vertically spaced apart openings 437 are provided through the latch block 435 and are threaded to receive therein a pair of setscrews 438, respectively, the setscrews 438 extending rearwardly beyond the latch block 435 and being in general horizontal alignment with the cable 420 and bearing against the cable 420 as is illustrated best in FIG. 17. By bearing against the cable 420, the setscrews 438 serve to lock the cable 420 with respect to the guide block 431 and with respect to the latch block 435, thereby to position and fixedly to mount the latch 430 upon the cable 420. The described action of the screws 438 also presses the guide block 431 and the latch block 435 away from each other, thereby to urge the cooperating dovetail surfaces thereof into tight engagement one with the other, thereby fixedly to position the guide block 431 with respect to the latch block 435.

Finally, there is mounted generally centrally of the latch block 435 an inwardly extending latch member 440, preferably integral therewith and shaped to provide a first substantially flat and generally vertically arranged abutment surface 441 and a second generally flat but rearwardly and downwardly inclined cam surface 442. As can be best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the abutment surface 441 on the latch member 440 can be positioned in a locking relationship with respect to the associated drawer when it is in the closed position thereof. More specifically, when the latch member 440 is in the upper or locking position thereof as illustrated by the dashed lines in FIG. 6, the abutment surface 441 thereof is in horizontal alignment with and immediately disposed in front of the keeper 280, whereby each of the adjacent drawers 250, 290 and 295 is locked in the storage position thereof. However, when the latch member 440 is moved to the release position thereof illustrated by the solid lines in FIG. 6, it is out of alignment with the keeper 280, whereby the drawer 250 (or 290 or 295) may be moved between the storage and extended positions thereof. The necessary movement of the latch 430 between the locking and release positions thereof is obtained by operation of the lock mechanism 450 carried by the drawer 250 to move the parts between the unlocked or release position, illustrated by the full lines in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the locked position illustrated by the dashed lines in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Movement of the cable 420 is sufficient to cause the necessary vertical movement of each of the latches 430, the spring 425 normally pulling the lower end of the cable 420 and all of the latches 430 thereon downwardly thus carrying the latch members 440 therewith, whereby same are normally disposed in the release positions thereof. Due to the fact that the latches 430 are continually urged toward the lower or release positions thereof by operation of the spring 425, each of the latches 430 can be shifted upwardly by the application of suitable force to the cam surfaces 442 thereof, the lock mechanism 450 carried by the drawer 250 being operable to engage the cam surface 442 on an adjacent latch 430 and raise same to the locking position thereof, whereby a single latch member 440 also operates as a cable lifter to effect upward movement of the cable 420 and the remainder of the latches 430 to the locking positions thereof.

As previously noted, because the latch members 440 are continually urged toward the lower position thereof by means of the spring 425, each of the latch members 440 can be momentarily shifted upwardly by the application of suitable force to the cam surfaces 442 thereof. For example, when one of the drawers 290 or 295 is in the partially open or extended position thereof, and the latch members 440 are in the upper or locking positions thereof, the latch members 440 will be in longitudinal alignment with the keepers 280. However, the keeper 280 on the partially extended drawer 290 or 295 has the upper edge thereof disposed slightly below the upper edge of the associated latch member 440 when it is in the latching position thereof, whereby the upper edge of the keeper 280 engages the cam surface 442, thereby to move the latch member 440 and the associated parts upwardly against the action of the spring 425 until the keeper passes behind the abutment surface 441 on the latch member 440, after which the spring 425 automatically returns the latch members 440 to the latching position to engage in front of the keeper 280 and to prevent subsequent withdrawal of the drawer until the latch member 440 is moved to the lower or release position thereof.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 through 14, the lock mechanism 450 for effecting movement of an adjacent latch 430 to the locking position thereof includes a crank 451 comprised of a generally elongated rod 452 having a first offset portion 453 at the inner end thereof. When the drawer is in the storage position and the crank is rotated, the offset portion 453 operates as a lever arm on the cam surface 442 of the adjacent latch member 440 to effect movement thereof between the locking and release positions thereof relative to the keeper 280 on the sidewall of the drawer. The opposite end of the rod portion 452 is provided with an offset portion 454 which extends into the front drawer head 270 for operable connection to suitable structure for effecting rotation thereof, the offset portions 453 and 454 also being angularly offset with respect to each other by about 97.degree., the crank 451 being rotatable between a locked position, illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, and an unlocked position, illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 14, the locking and release positions of the adjacent latch 430 corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions of the crank 451.

The crank 451 is mounted on the drawer outer sidewall 255 by a plate 455 having a semicylindrical flange 456 which overlies the elongated rod portion 452 of the crank and permits rotation of the rod portion 452 therewithin. The plate 455 is mounted to the drawer sidewall by a pair of screws 457 held in position by nuts 458 (FIGS. 12--14).

The mechanism for effecting rotation of the crank 451 between the locked and unlocked positions thereof includes a lock 460 which extends through the outer front wall 272 of the front drawer head 270. The particular drawer 250 upon which the lock mechanism 450 is mounted is provided with an inner drawer plate 461 which is welded to the inner side of the outer front wall 272, various parts of the lock mechanism being secured to the inner drawer plate 461. The inner drawer plate 461 serves to strengthen the front drawer head 270 in addition to providing structure upon which the various parts can be mounted without defacing the outer front wall 272 of the drawer. The inner drawer plate 461 has an upstanding flange 461A formed at the rear edge thereof, the inner front wall 271 being secured to the flange 461A by a plurality of screws 288, the inner front wall having flanges 276 formed at the outer edges thereof adjacent the drawer inner wall 253 and extending toward the outer front wall 272.

The lock 460 is provided with the usual key opening 462 whereby upon the insertion of the proper key into the lock 460, the parts can be turned between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the parts in FIG. 9 being in the unlocked position thereof and the parts in FIG. 10 being in the locked position thereof. The lock 460 includes a lever arm 463 (FIG. 13) which in the operation of the lock 460 by means of a key in the key opening 462 is moved downward from the position illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 13 to the position shown in FIG. 9. In order to make connection between the lock 460 and the crank 451, a flexible steel cable 465 having a terminal 466 on one end thereof is connected to the lever arm 463 by means of a cable locking connector 467, which in turn is connected to the lever arm 463 by a pin 468.

The cable 465 passes around a cable guide 470 which is mounted upon a channel bracket 471 carried by the inner drawer plate 461, the cable guide 470 being disposed to the right side of the lock 460 as illustrated in FIG. 7, thereby to reverse the direction of the cable 465. The cable guide 470 also serves to space the cable from the inner drawer plate 461 and outer walls 271 and 272 of the front drawer head 270 so as to permit free movement of the cable 465. The cable guide 470 is preferably formed of a lubric material such as that sold under the trademark "Delrin." The opposite end of the cable 465 is provided with a terminal 473 which is in turn secured to one end of a resilient spring 475, the opposite end of the spring being connected to a tab 476 formed on the inner drawer plate 461.

The cable 465 is adjustably secured to a first link 480 by passage thereof through a slotted shaft of a screw 481, the screw 481 being tack welded to the link 480. The cable 465 is held in position within the slotted portion of the shaft of the screw 481 by a pair of nuts 481A (see FIG. 10A) which are threaded on the shaft of the screw 481 and tightened to bind the cable 465 therebetween. The link 480 is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin 482 to the inner drawer plate 461. The pivot pin 482 is mounted within an inwardly extending embossment formed in the inner drawer plate 461, a nylon washer 483 being disposed between the end of the link 480 and the embossment; a push-on fastener 484 overlying the opposite side of the link 480 thereby to hold the link in position on the pivot pin 482. A second link 485 is connected for pivotal movement relative to the first link 480 by a shoulder rivet 486 passing through one end thereof. The opposite end of the link 485 is offset and is provided with an opening therethrough adapted to receive the offset portion 454 of the crank 451. The link 485 is embossed as at 487 on the offset portion thereof adjacent to the opening which receives the portion 454 of the crank, the emboss 487 minimizing the contact area between the link 485 and the drawer front wall 272 and also insuring proper connection between the link 485 and the crank 451.

With reference now to FIGS. 9, 10, 13, 14 and 14A, operation of the lock mechanism 450 will be described. Upon insertion of an appropriate key into the slot 462 of the lock 460, the lock 460 and thereby the lever arm 463 thereof may be rotated from an unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 9 to the locked position illustrated in FIG. 10. Upon rotation of the lever arm 463 the cable connector 467 is likewise rotated to the position illustrated in FIG. 10. Upon rotation of the cable connector to the locked position thereof, the portion of the cable 465 above the cable guide 470 moves toward the left as illustrated in FIG. 9, whereupon because of the reverse in direction of the cable by its placement about the cable guide 470, the portion of the cable 465 below the cable guide 470 moves to the right and causes the first link 480 to pivot from the position illustrated in FIG. 9 to the position illustrated in FIG. 10, by virtue of the fact that the cable 465 is rigidly secured to the link 480.

When the link 480 pivots to the right it causes the second link 485 also to move toward the right to the position illustrated in FIG. 10 and by the dashed lines in FIG. 14A. Because the second link 485 is connected to the offset portion 454 of the crank 451, movement of the second link 485 effects rotation of the crank 451 between the locked and unlocked positions thereof as illustrated in FIG. 6. The left-hand screw 288 which secures the inner front wall 271 to the inner drawer plate 461 operates as a stop for the second link 485 so that link 485 can't be forced past the position illustrated in FIG. 9 so as to jam the lock mechanism.

Assuming the drawer is in the storage position, upon rotation of the crank 451 to the locked position the lever arm or offset portion 453 thereof will engage the cam surface 442 of the adjacent latch member 440 and raise the latch to the locking position where the surface 441 will engage the keeper on the drawer and thereby prevent outward movement of the drawer. When the latch 430 is raised by the lock mechanism 450, it causes the cable 420, and thereby the remaining latches 430, to be raised the same distance thereby also locking the drawers 290 and 295.

The lever arm 463 of the lock 460 operates overcenter, whereby when the lever arm 463 is in the locked position thereof, tension on the cable 465 caused by the spring 475 is insufficient to cause the link 480 to return to the unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 9, and because of the overcenter operation of the lock 460, manual operation of the lock is required to return same to the unlocked position. Also, because the cable 465 is adjustably fastened to the link 480 by the nuts 481A, the lock mechanism 450 is independent of any manufacturing variances in the links 480, 485 and the crank 451. By adjusting the link 480 to the cable 465, it is possible to achieve maximum movement of the link 480 and to insure that the lever arm or offset portion 453 of the crank 451 is clear of the adjacent latch member 440 when the crank 451 is in the unlocked position.

The parts of the locking system 500 used to lock the file drawer 350 in the closed position thereof within the pedestal 300 are substantially identical to the parts of the system described above for locking the box drawers 250, 290 and 295 in the closed position within the pedestal 200, and, accordingly, like reference numerals in the 500 series have been applied to like parts of the locking system for the pedestal 300 that correspond to parts in the 400 series used in connection with the pedestal 200. More specifically, and referring to FIG. 2, a cable 520 extends downwardly from a latch channel cover plate 517 through a latch channel 510, the lower end of the cable 520 being connected by a spring 525 to the bottom wall 317 of the pedestal 300. Mounted at a suitable adjusted position on the cable 520 is a latch 530 having thereon a latch member 540, the latch member 540 engaging a keeper 380 on the file drawer 350.

The file drawer 350 is provided with lock mechanism 550 substantially identical to the lock mechanism 450 on the drawer 250, and like reference numerals in the 550 through 580 series have been applied to like parts of the lock mechanism for the pedestal 300. More specifically, and referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, the file drawer 350 includes a crank 551 and means for moving the crank including a lock 560, cable 565, a first cable guide 570, a second cable guide 577 (provided because of the greater height of the file drawer), and a spring 575. The cable 565 is connected to a first link 580 which in turn is pivotally connected to a second link 585, the opposite end of which receives the offset portion 554 of the crank 551. The various parts of the lock mechanism 550 carried by the file drawer 350 work in the same manner and cooperate in the same way as similar numbered parts of the lock mechanism 450 associated with the drawer 250.

It will be observed from FIG. 2 that only a single latch 530 is carried by the cable 520 in the pedestal 300, whereby it will be appreciated that the upper box drawer 390 is movable inwardly and outwardly of the pedestal 300 regardless of whether the lock mechanism 550 carried by the file drawer 350 is in the locked or unlocked position thereof. In this case, to prevent manipulation of the cable 520 and latch 530 relative to the drawer 350, a latch guard 590 is provided.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18 through 20, the latch guard 590 comprises a plate including a main body portion 591 of a width substantially equal to the distance between the outer sidewalls 514 of the latch channel 510, the body portion 591 having a pair of offset side flanges 592 extending the full length thereof, the side flanges 592 being adapted to overlie the wall 312 of the front frame 310 of pedestal 300. The body 591 is held in position on the latch channel 510 by a gripper plate 593 which is disposed on the inside surfaces of the inwardly extending flanges 515 of the latch channel 510, the gripper plate 593 being held in position by a self-tapping screw 594 which extends through the main body portion 591 and the space between the edges of the flanges 515 and into the gripper plate 593.

As best seen in FIG. 20, the main body portion 591 of the guard is provided with a generally rectangular cutout 595, the cutout being substantially equal in length to the length of the latch 530 plus the extent of movement of the associated latch 530 between the locking and release positions thereof, the latch member 540 extending through the cutout 595 for movement between such positions. A stop tab 596 is provided at the upper end of the cutout 595 and extends inwardly into the latch channel 510 when the guard 590 is mounted on the latch channel, the plate 591 being positioned so that the surface 536 of the latch engages the stop tab 596 when the latch is in the locking position thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. All of the drawers above the drawer having the lock mechanism will be provided with a one-way head screw in the stop members 285 at the rear of the drawer; once such screws are assembled, they cannot be removed. The use of such one-way head screws prevents removal of the upper drawers and precludes access to the locked drawer position therebelow.

A generally L-shaped shield 597 is secured to the bottom surface of the latch block 531 by a screw 598, the shield 597 extending outwardly through the space between the edges of the flanges 515 of the latch channel and through the cutout 595 in the main body portion 591 of the guard. The shield 597 includes a downwardly extending leg 599 which is of an extent sufficient to overlie the portion of the cutout 595 not occupied by the latch member 540 when the latch is in the locking position thereof as seen in FIGS. 18 and 19. The leg 599 thus conceals the unoccupied portion of the cutout 595 so as to preclude manipulation of the cable 520 in the area adjacent to the latch.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that it is possible to have numerous arrangements of drawers in the modular pedestal which may be locked or unlocked depending upon the placement of the latches and the position of the drawer carrying the lock mechanism. For example, because the drawers 250, 290 and 295 are identical, it would be possible to switch drawers 250 and 290 in the desk pedestal 200. In this case the uppermost latch 430 could be easily removed from within the latch channel 410 and a suitable latch guard, such as 590 and latch 530 could be installed adjacent to the drawer 250.

It is also possible to provide the lock mechanism in other size drawers. In this respect, there is illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 another possible drawer arrangement incorporating the drawer locking system of the present invention, the drawers illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 being mounted in the right hand pedestal 300 and including two half or tray drawers 600, the construction of which is substantially identical to that of the box drawer 250, and the box drawer 390. The upper tray drawer 600 includes lock mechanism 650 which is substantially identical in construction and operation to the lock mechanism 450 carried by the box drawer 250. More specifically, the lock mechanism 650 includes a crank 651 and means for effecting rotation of the crank including a lock 660, cable 665, cable guide 670, spring 675, a first link 680 pivotally connected to the drawer head and a second link 685 pivotally connected to the first link 680 and to the offset end 654 of the crank 651. If latches are provided for each of the drawers, then locking of all of the drawers is controlled by the single lock mechanism 650. In the tray drawer 600 the tab 676 prevents the link 685 from moving overcenter and thereby precludes jamming of the lock mechanism 650.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the simplicity of the installation of the various parts of the locking systems 400 and 500 and the adjustment thereof to accommodate different assemblies of drawers within the pedestal 200 and 300, and also in the fact that the locking system may easily be installed after the modular unit has been shipped from the factory.

In assembling the locking system 400 for example, the cable 410 is connected to the cable sleeve 423 and then threaded through the respective grommet 422 and cable guide 421 and thence downwardly through the associated latch channel 410. The lower end of the cable 420 is then connected to one end of the spring 425, the other end of the spring being connected to the pedestal bottom wall 217.

Next it is desired to assemble the latches 430 onto the cable 420. A guide block 431 is first inserted through the cutout portion 416 adjacent to the upper end of the latch channel 410 and moved downwardly along the cable, after which an associated latch block 435 is connected thereto and the screws 438 driven inwardly so as loosely to mount the latch 430 upon the cable 420. A latch 430 for each of the drawers to be used in the pedestal is installed in this manner by positioning the lower latch first and then subsequently positioning the upper latches.

In order to assist in positioning the latches 430 along the cable 420, an indicia in the form of a diamond-shaped cutout 240 is provided for each of the possible drawer latch positions, six such positions being available in the event that six half drawers such as 600 are mounted in the pedestal. The indicia 240 more specifically are positioned at points disposed above the slides 230 and at the point at which the forward shorter end of the latch member 440 should be positioned.

In order properly to position the latches 430, the uppermost latch 430 is first fixedly secured to the cable 420 so that the forward end of the latch member 440 is disposed about one-half inch below the horizontal centerline of the appropriate indicia 240. The drawer 250 carrying the lock mechanism 450 is then installed in the pedestal and the lock mechanism is operated to the lock position thereof, thereby raising the uppermost latch 430 to the locking position thereof. This, of course, also causes the cable 420 to be raised corresponding distance as determined by the extent of movement of the uppermost latch 430. At this time, the latches 430 for the lower drawers are then positioned on the cable so that the forward ends thereof are opposite the diamond-shaped indicia 240 disposed above the respective drawer slides 230. The setscrews 438 are then tightened fixedly to lock the remaining latches 430 upon the cable 420 and fixedly to position the respective cable block 431 with respect to the latch blocks 435. The remaining drawers 290 and 295 may then be inserted into the pedestal 200.

The latches 530 and the cable 520 are likewise assembled in the latch channel 510, diamond-shaped indicia 340 also being provided along the front frame 310 to serve as guides for positioning the forward ends of the latch members 535 by aligning the forward edge of the cam surface 542 in line with indicia 340. The workman therefore slips the assembled but loosely tightened latch 530 downwardly to the appropriate distance below the indicia 340, after which the screws 538 in the latch are tightened to clamp the latch 530 to the cable 520. When the latch member 540 is in the proper position with respect to the keeper on the associated drawer 350, the latch guard 590 is fastened to the latch channel 510 in the manner heretofore described.

If the arrangement of the drawers within the pedestals 200 and 300 is to be changed, it will be appreciated that the latches 430 and 530 can also be quickly changed, the latches being shifted or disassembled or new latches installed as required. It further is possible readily to install or replace the cables 420 and 520 due to the simple connection to the springs 425 and 525 at the ends of the respective cables.

From the above description it will be seen that there has been provided an improved drawer-locking system which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. More specifically, an improved locking system has been provided wherein a cable is continually under tension throughout the length thereof, one end being connected by a spring to the bottom of a pedestal whereby the cable is movable relative thereto, connection of the cable to the spring and pedestal being such as to facilitate ready installation and replacement thereof if required. Latches have been provided which can be installed at any desired point along that portion of the cable disposed within an associated latch channel, the latches being readily installed, adjusted, replaced and removed without molesting the tension or adjustment of the associated cable. Furthermore, the lock mechanism for effecting operation of one or more latches is provided on a single drawer which may be readily placed in the pedestal either at the factory or by the user.

While there has been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What we claim is:

1. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein, at least one drawer mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a keeper thereon, lock mechanism carried by said drawer and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawer and having one end movably mounted with respect to said body, and a latch mounted on said cable adjacent to said drawer and movable with said cable between a locking position wherein said latch is in position to engage said keeper and a release position wherein said latch is out of position to engage said keeper, said lock mechanism being operable to move said latch between the locking and release positions thereof, whereby movement of said lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves said latch between the locking position and the release position thereof, movement of said latch from said locking position thereof to said release position thereof being accomplished without shifting said drawer inwardly or outwardly with respect to said body.

2. The drawer locking system set forth in claim 1 and further comprising means secured to said one end of said cable for maintaining said cable taut in all positions of said lock mechanism.

3. The drawer locking system set forth in claim 1, wherein said cable is a flexible wire cable.

4. The drawer locking system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising at least one stop arm carried adjacent to the rear of said drawer, said stop arm being cooperable with said drawer support structure to prevent complete removal of said drawer from said body.

5. The drawer locking system set forth in claim 1, wherein said body comprises the pedestal of a modular unit.

6. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein, at least one drawer mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a keeper thereon, lock mechanism carried by said drawer and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawer, resilient means interconnecting one end of said cable and said body to hold said cable taut in all positions of said lock mechanism, and a latch mounted on said cable adjacent to said drawer and movable with said cable between a locking position wherein said latch is in position to engage said keeper and a release position wherein said latch is out of position to engage said keeper, said lock mechanism being operable to move said latch between the locking and release positions thereof, whereby movement of said lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves said latch between the locking position and the release position thereof, movement of said latch from said locking position thereof to said release position thereof being accomplished without shifting said drawer inwardly or outwardly with respect to said body.

7. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 6, wherein said resilient means is a spring having said one end connected to said cable at a point below said drawer and having the other end connected to a lower point on said body.

8. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein, a plurality of vertically aligned drawers mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said drawers having a keeper thereon, lock mechanism carried by one of said drawers and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawers, resilient means interconnecting one end of said cable and said body to hold said cable taut in all positions of said lock mechanism, and a corresponding plurality of latches mounted on said cable respectively adjacent to said drawers and movable with said cable between locking positions wherein said latches are in position respectively to engage said keepers and prevent outward movement of said drawers and release positions wherein said latches are out of position to engage said keepers to allow outward movement of said drawers, said lock mechanism carried by said one drawer being operable to move the respectively adjacent one of said latches between the locking and release position thereof, whereby movement of said lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves the adjacent one of said latches between the locking position and the release position thereof and concurrently effects movement of said cable and thereby the remainder of said latches between said latch adjacent to said one drawer and said resilient means between the locking positions and the release positions thereof, movement of said latches from said locking positions thereof to said release positions thereof being accomplished without shifting said one drawer inwardly or outwardly with respect to said body.

9. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 8, wherein said one drawer carrying said lock mechanism is the uppermost drawer in said body.

10. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein, a plurality of vertically aligned drawers mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, each of said drawers having a keeper thereon, lock mechanism carried by one of said drawers and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, said one drawer being disposed below the uppermost drawer in said body, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawers, resilient means interconnecting one end of said cable and said body to hold said cable taut in all positions of said lock mechanism, a plurality of latches mounted on said cable respectively adjacent to said one drawer and the drawers positioned between said one drawer and said resilient means and movable with said cable between locking positions wherein said latches are in position to respectively engage said keepers and prevent outward movement of said one drawer and those positioned between said one drawer and said resilient means and release positions wherein said latches are out of position to engage said keepers to allow outward movement of said drawers, and guard means secured to said body adjacent to said one drawer and overlying the respectively adjacent latch for preventing manipulation of said cable and said latch, said lock mechanism carried by said one drawer being operable to move the respectively adjacent one of said latches between the locking and release positions thereof, whereby movement of said lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves the adjacent one of said latches between the locking position and the release position thereof and concurrently effects movement of said cable and thereby the remainder of said latches between said one drawer and said resilient means between the locking positions and the release positions thereof.

11. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 10, wherein said guard means for preventing cable manipulation comprises a plate secured to said body adjacent to said one drawer and disposed between said cable and said one drawer, said plate having an opening therein adapted to receive said one latch and permitting movement of said one latch between the locking and release positions thereof, and a shield secured to a lower surface of said one latch and extending from said one latch through said opening in said plate and overlying said opening regardless of the position of said one latch, whereby said guard means precludes manipulation of said cable and said one latch when said one latch is in the locking position thereof.

12. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having drawer 4 support structure therein, at least one drawer mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a keeper thereon, lock mechanism carried by said drawer and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawer, resilient means interconnecting one end of said cable and said body to hold said cable taut in all positions of said lock mechanism, and a latch mounted on said cable adjacent to said drawer and movable with said cable, said lock mechanism engaging said latch to effect movement of said latch between a locking position wherein said latch is in position to engage said keeper and thereby prevent outward movement of said drawer and a release position wherein said latch is out of position to engage said keeper, whereby movement of said lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves said latch between the locking position and the release position thereof.

13. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 12, wherein said resilient means is a spring having one end connected to said cable at a point below said drawer and having the other end connected to a lower point on said body.

14. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein, at least one drawer mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a keeper thereon, lock mechanism carried by said drawer and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawer, resilient means interconnecting one end of said cable to said body for maintaining said cable taut in all positions of said lock mechanism, a latch mounted on said cable adjacent to said drawer and movable with said cable between a locking position wherein said latch is in position to engage said keeper and a release position wherein said latch is out of position to engage said keeper, and cable-lifting means secured to said cable adjacent to said drawer and movable with said cable, said lock mechanism being cooperable with said cable-lifting means to effect movement of said cable and thereby said latch between said locking position and said release position thereof, whereby movement of said lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves said cable-lifting means and thereby said latch between the locking position and the release position thereof.

15. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 14, wherein said cable-lifting means and said latch comprise different surfaces of a single member.

16. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 14, wherein said latch has a first cam surface on the rear portion thereof engageable with said keeper when said latch is in the locking position and said drawer is in the closed position thereof, and said cable-lifting means comprises a second cam surface on the forward portion of said latch.

17. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein, at least one drawer mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a keeper thereon, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawer and having one end movably mounted with respect to said body, resilient means interconnecting said one end of said cable to said body for maintaining said cable taut, a latch mounted on said cable adjacent to said drawer and movable with said cable, and a crank mounted on a sidewall of said drawer and disposed adjacent to said cable when said drawer is in the closed position thereof and carrying a lever arm movable therewith between a locked position and an unlocked position, movement of said lever arm between the locked position and the unlocked position moving said cable and said latch between a locking position wherein said latch is in position to engage said keeper and prevent outward movement of said drawer and a release position wherein said latch is in a position to engage said keeper so as to allow outward movement of said drawer, whereby movement of said crank between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof when said drawer is in the closed position thereof moves said latch between the locking position and the release position thereof.

18. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 17, wherein said crank comprises a longitudinally extending member mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof and said lever arm is carried at one end of said member, said crank being rotatable between said locked position wherein said lever arm is rotated to engage said cable-lifting means and lift same and said unlocked position wherein said lever arm is rotated so that it is out of position for engagement with said cable-lifting means, and means carried by said drawer for effecting rotation of said crank.

19. A lock drawer for use in a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein for mounting the drawer for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a cable extending through the body adjacent to the drawer and movably mounted with respect to the body and having a latch mounted on the cable adjacent to the drawer and movable between locking and release positions relative to the drawer, the lock drawer comprising, a bottom wall, a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls connected to opposite edges of said bottom wall, a front drawer head extending between said sidewalls, a keeper mounted on one of said sidewalls on the side thereof adapted to be positioned adjacent to the associated latch, and lock mechanism carried by said drawer and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, said lock mechanism being positioned for cooperable engagement with the associated latch mounted in the associated body, whereby movement of the lock mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves the associated latch between the locking position thereof wherein the latch is in position to engage said keeper and prevent outward movement of the drawer and the release position thereof wherein the latch is out of position to engage said keeper.

20. The lock drawer set forth in claim 19, wherein said lock mechanism includes first means rotatably mounted on said one sidewall of said drawer for movement between said locked and unlocked positions relative to the associated latch and second means mounted on said front drawer head for effecting rotation of said first means between said locked and unlocked positions thereof.

21. A lock drawer for use in a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein for mounting said drawer for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a cable extending through the body adjacent to the drawer and movably mounted with respect to the body and having a latch mounted on the cable adjacent to the drawer and movable between locking and release positions relative to the drawer, the lock drawer comprising, a bottom wall, a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls connected to opposite edges of said bottom wall, a front drawer head extending between said sidewalls, a keeper mounted on one of said sidewalls on the side thereof adapted to be positioned adjacent to the associated latch, a crank mounted on said one sidewall and carrying a lever arm movable therewith between a locked position and unlocked position, said lever arm being positioned for cooperable engagement with the associated latch in the associated body to effect movement of the latch between the locking and release positions thereof corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions of said crank, and means carried by said front drawer head for effecting movement of said crank between the locked and unlocked positions thereof, whereby movement of said crank between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof moves the associated latch between the locking position thereof wherein the latch is in position to engage said keeper and prevent outward movement of the drawer and the release position thereof wherein the latch is out of position to engage said keeper.

22. A lock drawer for use in a cabinetlike body having drawer support structure therein for mounting said drawer for movement inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and having a cable extending through the body adjacent to the drawer and movably mounted with respect to the body and having a latch mounted on the cable adjacent to the drawer and movable between locking and release positions relative to the drawer, the lock drawer comprising, a bottom wall, a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls connected to opposite edges of said bottom wall, a front drawer head extending between said sidewalls, a keeper mounted on one of said sidewalls on the side thereof adapted to be positioned adjacent to the associated latch, a crank mounted on said one sidewall and carrying a lever arm movable therewith between a locked position and an unlocked position, said lever arm being positioned for cooperable engagement with the associated latch in the associated body to effect movement of the latch between the locking and release positions thereof corresponding to the locked and unlocked positions of said crank, a lock mounted on said front drawer head and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first link having one end pivotally mounted on said front drawer head, a second link interconnecting the other end of aid first link and one end of said crank, a flexible cable interconnecting said first link and said lock, and biasing means interconnecting said first link and said front drawer head for maintaining said flexible cable taut in all positions of said lock, whereby movement of said lock between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof causes said flexible cable to effect movement of said first and second links so as to effect rotation of said crank between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof, movement of said crank between the locked position and the unlocked position thereof being effective to move the associated latch between the locking position thereof wherein the latch is in position to engage said keeper and prevent outward movement of the drawer and the release position thereof wherein the associated latch is out of position to engage said keeper.

23. The lock drawer set forth in claim 22, wherein said flexible cable is adjustably mounted relative to said first link.

24. The lock drawer set forth in claim 22, and further comprising cable guide means fixedly secured to said front drawer head for guiding said cable in its movements between said lock and said first link.

25. The drawer locking system set forth in claim 22, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring connecting said first link and said drawer front wall.

26. A drawer-locking system comprising a cabinetlike body having a drawer support structure therein, a plurality of vertically aligned drawers mounted in said body on said support structure for movement inwardly to a closed position and outwardly with respect thereto, a cable extending through said body adjacent to said drawers, resilient means interconnecting one end of said cable and said body to hold said cable taut in all positions of said lock mechanism, each of said drawers having a keeper thereon, and a corresponding plurality of latches mounted on said cable respectively adjacent to said drawers and movable with said cable between locking positions wherein said latches are in position respectively to engage said keepers and prevent outward movement of said drawers and release positions wherein said latches are out of position to engage said keepers to allow outward movement of said drawers, lock mechanism carried by one of said drawers and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position to move said latches between the locking and release positions thereof, each of said latches having a first cam surface on the rear portion thereof engageable with the respective one of said keepers when said latches are in the locking position and said drawers are in the closed position thereof, each of said latches having a second cam surface on the forward portion thereof engageable with the adjacent one of said keepers when said latches are in the locking position thereof and all of said drawers except said one drawer are in the open positions thereof such that when said locking mechanism is moved to place the adjacent one of said latches in the locking position thereof with the remainder of said drawers in the open positions movement of said drawers to the closed position causes each of said keepers respectively to engage the adjacent ones of said second cam surfaces and to move the adjacent one of said latches against the urging of said resilient means to permit said keeper and said drawer to move to the closed position after which said resilient means moves said latch to the locking position thereof with respect to said keeper to place said first cam surface in position to engage said keeper.

27. The drawer-locking system set forth in claim 8, wherein said one drawer carrying said lock mechanism is the drawer furthest away from said resilient means.